125.00.03 Ark. Code R. § 001 - RESCIND-Emergency regulation to prevent the introduction of Exotic Newcastle Disease and highly pathogenic Avaian Influenza filed with Arkansas Register on 5/12/03

The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission declares an emergency to prevent the introduction of Exotic Newcastle and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza into the state and enact the following emergency import restrictions placed in effect for Arkansas eflective April 25, 2003 to remain in effect for 120 days after that time.

1. No person shall import live poultry (defined hence forth as domestic poultry, waterfowl, psittacines or passerines, and other avian species), hatching eggs or table eggs from any federal or state quarantined county or that has transited through the quarantined area.

2. All poultry, hatching eggs and table eggs entering the state must be accompanied by a certificate of origin attesting to where the shipment originated from and a statement that they did not originate from or/transit through a quarantined area where there is any known Exotic Newcastle Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Company management must sign and date this form.

3. All vehicles used to transport poultry, eggs or inedible poultry materials that enter the state of Arkansas will be certified by a licensed or state/federal veterinarian, a designated appointee of state/ federal veterinarian, a plant manager or a hatchery manager and are to be cleaned and disinfected in such a way that Exotic Newcastle Disease virus and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus will be inactivated. Vehicles are to be washed to remove all organic debris using a detergent and water rinse with a final application of a disinfectant that is approved for use in the inactivation of Exotic Newcastle Disease virus and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus.

4. In the shipping of eggs into the state any reusable materials used must be either new or free of visual debris and contaminates, especially feces and egg contents. In the event contaminated materials are found the entire lot will be disposed of immediately at the expense of the shipper.

5. Exemptions:

a. Egg distributors (not packers or processors) entering Arkansas are exempt from the certificate of origin as stipulated in provision two (2) and the certificate of cleaning and disinfecting stipulated in provision three (3) provided they make direct sales to retail outlets such as stores, restaurants, etc. and eggs are in new packaging materials and have not originated from an area where there is known Exotic Newcastle Disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

b. Live poultry and controlled poultry operations may be exempted as stipulated in provision one (1), provision two (2) and provision three (3) upon issuance of a decal by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.

6. All personnel who come from a foreign country or quarantine area known or suspected of having Exotic Newcastle Disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza must be quarantined from live poultry or other avian species for a period of three (3) days following their arrival in Arkansas. All clothing, footwear and headgear brought from the quarantined area that has or is suspected of having Exotic Newcastle Disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza will be washed and sanitized in such a way that Exotic Newcastle Disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza will be inactivated. Individual companies shall enforce this provision.

7. Any poultry, hatching eggs or table eggs identified or suspected of being infected with or exposed to Exotic Newcastle Disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza will be quarantined immediately and the Arkansas State Veterinarian's office notified for final disposition.

8. All poultry exhibitions are prohibited until the threat of Exotic Newcastle Disease no longer exists.

9. The sale, barter or giving away of all live poultry in flea market, roadside stand, feed store etc. is prohibited without a permit issued by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.

Notes

125.00.03 Ark. Code R. § 001

5/12/2003